Features that make up the geologic map are stored as individual shapefiles in a directory
named for the 7.5-minute quadrangle. As many as 14 different themes make up the database,
but not all are present for every quadrangle. Each quadrangle folder contains a computer
image in .jpg format that shows all shapefiles with appropriate symbolization. The image
files can be viewed in your web browser or in an image editor.

FGDC-compliant metadata about the shapefiles can be viewed in your web browser by clicking
the file "quadname".htm ("quadname" is the name of the quadrangle)
under the folder that contains the quadrangle data (named by quadrangle).

Each quadrangle uses a four-letter abbreviation for the shapefile name, and
a two- to four-letter code is used for the theme type. For example, the fault
features for the Alcorn quadrangle are stored in a set of files with the prefix
"alcoflt". In the following descriptions the standard file assignments
are designated on the first line, with XXXX indicating the quadrangle abbreviation.
Each shapefile theme has attribute data that describe characteristics of individual
features in the file. The attributes are either in character (C) or integer
(I) format. FGDC metadata files for each quadrangle data set are supplied in
web browser format (quadname.htm). The following describes the nature of each
theme and how its attributes are used.

Formation Areas: XXXXFMP (polygon)

This file contains the surficial areas of rock units that compose the geologic
map, and is therefore the most important shapefile. Rock units are labeled using
stratigraphic nomenclature that indicates geologic age, superposition, and rock
type. These units may be ranked as groups, formations, members, or beds. This
shapefile also contains fault segments or map borders necessary to bound a map
unit.

Each rock unit is bounded by an upper and lower surface called a contact. In
some cases other rock units, such as coal beds, are used as a proxy for a formation
contact. Contacts may be classified according to exposure characteristics and
the confidence with they were delineated.

Contains coal outcrop locations identified during the GQ mapping. Does not
describe thickness or elevation characteristics of the coal. More comprehensive
data about coal locations are available from the KGS database
(www.uky.edu/KGS/pubs/lop.htm).

Contains locations of drill holes and wells that were deemed "geologically"
significant by compilers. More comprehensive and up-to-date data about oil and
gas, coal, and water wells are available from the KGS database (www.uky.edu/KGS/pubs/lop.htm).